YMCA Camp Minikani is a community that is dedicated to your child’s experience. The Minikani staff and Board work together to intentionally design an experience that will support and value your child for who they are and what they love.
The success of Minikani rests on the shoulders of our energetic, responsible and passionate counselors and administrative directors (AD Staff). Counselors are former campers who have learned about leadership and youth programming for three years through Minikani’s nationally recognized Leaders in Training program. For summer staff, Minikani is the place where they developed resilience, independence and confidence, which is one of the reasons why they strive to recreate the same positive experience for your child. All summer staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.
The year-round leadership team provides the strategic vision and direction for YMCA Camp Minikani. We are always thinking about new ways to improve camp. Please consider sharing your experience with us by emailing minikani@ymcamke.org.
It’s with great enthusiasm that over the past 20 years I have had the chance to watch young people’s lives change through the power of camp as they discover their ‘best selves!’ As the executive director it’s my duty to provide leadership and support for all of the camp’s operations to ensure our programs are the highest quality, fully develop young staff and campers, and incorporate our strategic plan. Prior to my role as executive director I held positions as senior operations director, environmental education director and at Wisconsin Lions Camp. I look forward to continuing to serve at camp where the strength of our programs and staff develops confident, independent and character driven leaders. It’s my honor to steward the Spirit of Minikani for continued generations of campers and staff.
Eli Fyksen
Executive Director
Hello Camp Families. Summer 2025 will mark my 12th year at Camp Minikani. In addition to working with all of our amazing camp families regarding their camper’s accounts, I also work behind the scenes to ensure that your registration and paperwork experience is the best that it can be. Additionally, I work with other office staff members to ensure our processes are efficient.
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my dogs and volunteer for a local dog rescue. I also enjoy spending my free time reading a good murder mystery or comedy book. In the summer, I enjoy lounging by the pool and spending time on the lakes of Wisconsin.
AJ Laughlin
Director of Administration
My name is Anna Rooney (she/her), and I’m the Summer Camp Director at Minikani! I started coming to camp in 2009, when I was 8 years old. Since then, I’ve met my biggest role models, my best friends, and the coolest campers and LTs ever. I enjoy being outside, camping, reading, writing, drawing, cooking, and trying out new things as often as I can, like birding! I was born in Waukesha, WI but spent most of my childhood in Birmingham, AL. From there, I went to college in Florida at USF (go bulls!) where I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science as well as Women’s and Gender Studies in 2023. Now I’m back in Wisconsin to do the best job in the world! This will be my 8th summer on staff, in which time I have been a counselor, Day Camp Director, LT Director, and Assistant Summer Camp Director. I’m very excited to make our summer program safe, fun, and rewarding as possible for our campers!
Anna Rooney
Summer Camp Director
Bio Coming soon.
Bio Coming Soon
Trips and Leadership Director
Hello! My name is Paige (she/her) and I am the Director of Education and Conferences here at Minikani. Before to stepping into this role in 2025, I served as an outdoor program instructor at Minikani and worked as a camp counselor at various camps across the United States.
I earned my bachelors degree in recreation management from Shaw University in 2024 and joined the Minikani team that fall.
In my free time I enjoy hiking, kayaking, reading, playing sports, and exploring all that Wisconsin has to offer. I have a deep appreciation for both education and the outdoors, which makes me truly passionate about the work I get to do here at Minikani.
Paige Ellis
Director Education and Conferences
Bio coming soon.
Ryan Parsons
Member Engagement Director
I work as the office admin at Minikani. I began this adventure in April 2016. Since then, I have been drawn to Minikani’s beautiful outdoors. Experiencing Minikani’s summer fun between counselors and campers makes my role at camp truly worthwhile. In my free time, I enjoy bringing out the colors of summer through gardening. My other hobbies include photography, drawing, watching sunsets from my porch and spending time with my horse and other pets.
Tracy Hennes
Center Administrator
Hello, all:
I have been a part of the maintenance team at Camp Minikani since 2014. I love working outdoors, and Minikani is the place to be for that. Prior to coming to camp, I worked behind a desk in an engineering capacity. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity of making camp a safe and fun-filled experience for visitors.
Patrick Quella
Property Director
Bio coming soon
Paul Schmidt
Assistant Property Director
Bio coming soon
Tiffany Slaasted
House Keeping
Bio coming soon
Olivia Volpentesta
Kitchen Manager
Our Board of Directors are dedicated and enthusiastic professionals who volunteer their time and talents to YMCA Camp Minikani. Through their service, members offer their expert advice and fundraising assistance in order to advance the strategic mission of camp and improve all aspects of Minikani.
Greg Valde, Board Chair
Professor, Retired
Aaron Bell, Board Member
Cannataro Family Capital Partners
August Herschede, Board Member
Realtor
Kate Hoffman, Board Member
Port Washington – Saukville School District
Jill Kohli, Board Member
[m]pirik Health Solutions
Michael Mierow, Board Member
US Bank
Hillary Phelps Lobenstein, Board Member
Watertown Unified School District
Andy Wiegman, Board Member
Kevin Wright, Vice Chair/Treasurer
Co-founder/Owner Third Space Brewing